Evaluation of Reliability of Tensiomyography Measurement / 대한스포츠의학회지

PURPOSE: This study is designed to evaluate the reliability for studies of tensiomyography (TMG). TMG can evaluate muscle function noninvasively and selectively. METHODS: We measured 12 male volunteers (age, 26.5±7.6 years; height, 175.3±4.7 cm; weight, 78.8±13.3 kg) in this study and measured TMG during three occasions over 3 consecutive days. None of the participants has had any history of neuromuscular disorders or muscle diseases. Vastus lateralis, vastus medialis (VM), rectus femoris (RF) in quadriceps and biceps femoris, semitendinosus in hamstrings muscles were measured. Coefficient of variation (CV%) and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) have been calculated about maximal displacement (Dm, mm) and contraction time (Tc, ms) which are main parameters. RESULTS: Most of the ICC of Dm were over 0.8 and the highest among the muscles except both VM. And, most ICC of Tc was lower than Dm except both BF (right, 18.31; left, 15.03). But, the ICC of Tc was lower than Dm except left RF (0.890) and VM (0.859). CONCLUSION: This study has shown that the Dm is high levels of the ICC and CV(%) in thigh muscle except VM. In the future, we plan to establish the method of measurement more clearly for reducing the errors of measurements. The technique of correct palpation of measurable muscles using TMG devices is also necessary.

Analysis of Lower Extremity Contraction According to Gender Using Tensiomyography / 대한스포츠의학회지

Tensiomyography (TMG) is used to evaluate the contraction characteristics of the thigh muscles according to gender. Our hypothesis is that male's maximal displacement (Dm) will be lower than the control because the Dm increases when the muscle becomes stiff or hypertrophied. TMG evaluated 15 males and 12 females. The biceps femoris, semitendinosus, vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, and rectus femoris were evaluated. The TMG parameters obtained for each muscle were Dm and contraction time (Tc). And we calculated contraction velocity (Vc) as the rate of the radial displacement occurring during the time period of Tc with respect to Tc. Dm and Vc values of biceps femoris muscles were significantly lower in males than in controls, whereas Dm and Vc values of vastus medialis muscles were significantly lower in females than males. The Tc values of males were significantly higher in right and bilateral sum than females. This is the first report on TMG assessment by gender. We found that it is the most effective in finding muscle contraction characteristics according to gender and can induce the difference between the Dm and Vc of each muscle.

Analysis of Bodybuilder's Skeletal Muscle Characteristics Using Tensiomyography / 대한스포츠의학회지

The aim of this study is to evaluate the contractile properties of thigh muscles in bodybuilders through tensiomyography (TMG). Our hypothesis is that maximal displacement (Dm) in bodybuilders would be lower than in controls because Dm is increased when the muscle is stiffed or hypertrophied. Nine bodybuilder athletes and 15 university students were assessed by TMG. The biceps femoris (BF), semitendinosus (ST), vastus lateralis, vastus medialis (VM), and rectus femoris (RF) were evaluated. The TMG parameters obtained for each muscle were Dm, contraction time (Tc). And we calculated contraction velocity (Vc) as the rate of the radial displacement occurring during the time period of Tc with respect to Tc. Dm values of all muscles in bodybuilders were significantly higher compared to the control group. There were no significant differences in Tc values of most muscles except right BF and ST muscles. Vc values of VM, RF, and ST muscles were lower in bodybuilders than in the control group. This is the first report about TMG assessment of muscle hypertrophy. We found that Dm was most effective in detecting muscle hypertrophy and muscle stiffness secondary to muscle hypertrophy could induce decrease in Dm and Vc.

A Novel Method for the Assessment of Muscle Injuries / 대한스포츠의학회지

Muscle injuries are very common in sports fields so diagnosis and prevention of them are as important as treatment in sports medicine. Many other devices for muscle diagnostics are provided, but non-invasiveness, cost, validity and reliability become a good measure of diagnosing and monitoring athletes. Tensiomyography (TMG) has been developed in the late 1980s to evaluate deficient muscle initially, and it was introduced into sports medicine and athletic training. It is a simple to use selective and non-invasive for measuring a skeletal muscle response. The method is based on the measurement of the radial displacement of muscle belly, which is caused by an electrical stimulator. The displacement is measured with an electric sensor which is connected to a computer system. It gives the information of maximal displacement of the belly (Dm) with following time parameters: delay time, contraction time (Tc), sustain time, and relaxation time. TMG studies usually focus on two common parameters: Tc and Dm. An increase in Tc indicates a muscle with a predominance of slow-twitch fibers. A decrease in Dm indicates an increase in muscle stiffness or tone. Other studies have been mainly associated with physiological characteristics of muscles, risk factors for muscle or ligament injuries, muscle fatigue, and muscle diseases such as multiple sclerosis. We think the application of TMG to the sports field can reduce the risk of sports injuries and increase performance of athletes. In medical field, it allows functional diagnosis of muscle strain, monitoring rehabilitation, and modifying treatment strategy effectively.

Evaluation and Application of Muscle Injuries Using Tensiomyography / 대한스포츠의학회지

Tensiomyography (TMG) is known as non-invasive method which assesses the muscular characteristics such as contraction velocity or maximal displacement of the belly. The aim of this study was to evaluate muscular responses by TMG after muscle injury and to introduce using TMG first in Korea. This study was performed with a subject who was diagnosed with muscular injury and consent measuring and following up TMG analyses. A female patient, who was diagnosed left hip adductor muscle strain, underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and TMG at intervals of two weeks. We obtained decreased in displace maximum (Dm, 4.14 vs. 5.69) and altered curve shape in the injured muscle at the initial TMG assessment in comparison to the non-injured side. After two weeks, MRI findings and symptom were improved and Dm in the injured side increased as in the non-injured muscle. These findings suggest that a decrease in Dm indicate increased in muscle stiffness after muscle injury, and an increase in Dm as in the non-injured side after two weeks indicate recovered status. TMG may be useful as a simple and non-invasive device for monitoring muscle function after muscle injury and during the recovery.

Characteristics of elderly patients with acute poisoning

PURPOSE: Poisoning is a major health problem for the elderly, and poisoning can cause fatal side effects. However, the characteristics and clinical features of elderly patients with acute poisoning have not been well studied in the previous domestic research. So, we tried to analyze the clinical characteristics and toxic substances of the patients who were 65 years old or older and who were admitted to the regional emergency medical center due to acute poisoning. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records and poisoning protocols of the patients who were 65 years of age or older and who had with acute poisoning and who visited the ED in our emergency center from January 2005 to December 2009. We collected the demographic information, the gender, the underlying diseases, the causes and toxic substances, the initial presentation, the treatment and the outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 2179 poisoned patients visited the hospital during 5 years, and among them 244 were 65 years of age or older (11.2%). The mean age was 75.6+/-6.9 years and the male:female ratio was 1:1.7. The most common cause of poisoning was suicide (73.4%) and the most common source of poisonous substances was their own drugs. Of the substances used for poisoning, benzodiazepine was the most common drug (25.8%), followed by sedatives other than benzodiazepine (25.4%), insecticide (12.7%), chemical agents (12.3%) and herbicides (8.2%). The most common initial presentation was mental change (64.8%). CONCLUSION: In this Korean study, unlike the foreign studies, the most common cause of poisoning in elderly patients was intentional poisoning. The admission rate was 68.8% and mortality rate was 10.2%.